The total value of the Philippines’ active Official Development Assistance (ODA)-funded projects grew by six percent from USD 37.3 billion in 2023 to USD 39.6 billion in 2024, spread across 426 loans and grants, according to the 2024 ODA Portfolio Review Report.
New loan commitments on infrastructure drove the increase, with nine of the 17 fresh loans worth USD 8.2 billion supporting the Marcos Administration’s Infrastructure Flagship Projects (IFPs). Among the projects that benefitted from these loan commitments include the Laguna Lakeshore Road Network Project, the Dalton Pass East Alignment Road Project Phase I, new funding for the Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge Project and the Metro Manila Subway Project, and the Infrastructure for Safer and Resilient Schools Project.
“The Philippine government has long recognized the importance of transformative investments, particularly those aimed at easing mobility constraints and advancing regional integration. Projects such as the North-South Commuter Railway can support and benefit present and future generations by enabling the spatial diversification of our growth engines and making our economy more resilient to shocks,” said Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan.
The report showed that transport and connectivity infrastructure accounted for the largest share of the 2024 ODA portfolio, both in value (USD 42.81 billion or 62.7%) and number (120 loans or grants). A total of 79 loans and grants valued at USD 6.4 billion (16%) were also listed under the governance and institutions development sector. The projects under this sector are focused on enhancing governance reforms, fiscal management, and institutional development.
Social reform and community development represented the third largest share with USD 5.4 billion (13.5%) for 113 loans and grants allocated in health, education, social protection, and human capital development programs.
In line with the government’s climate agenda, DEPDev reported 60 ODA-funded projects that included components supporting climate change adaptation, mitigation, and disaster risk reduction. These include 33 loans and 27 grants financing infrastructure resilience, transport decarbonization, climate-smart agriculture, and renewable energy.
“Our whole-of-government approach aims to maximize assistance from our development partners by strategically aligning development financing with spending priorities that will accelerate our progress in attaining desired socioeconomic outcomes. To fully realize the benefits of these financial commitments and ensure the timely delivery of results that benefit the ordinary Filipino, we urgently need to improve public-sector capacity for project preparation, coordination, and execution,” Balisacan said.
The 2024 ODA Report also outlined key lessons for improving project implementation. It underscored the need for agencies to: a) advance early-stage project readiness; b) ensure timely and predictable budgetary support; c) address persistent implementation bottlenecks and common challenges; d) strengthen institutional capacity and monitoring and evaluation units; and e) systematically integrate cross-cutting themes, such as gender and development and climate integration.
In 2024, the government completed six major ODA projects across different sectors. Among the completed projects were the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) Arterial Road Bypass Project Phase III and the Panguil Bay Bridge Project, which significantly reduced travel time in Central Luzon and Northern Mindanao, respectively, thereby improving regional connectivity. Also completed were the DPWH’s Flood Risk Management Project for the Cagayan de Oro River and the Integrated Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation Project in Pampanga that aim to strengthen flood protection systems and support local communities in building climate resilience.
Under the health and social services sector, the Department of Health (DOH), through the COVID-19 Emergency Response Project, delivered essential medical equipment, vaccines, and health infrastructure that helped prevent infection and reduce fatalities, while the additional financing for the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) KALAHI-CIDSS program supported inclusive post-pandemic recovery in poor and vulnerable municipalities.
“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our esteemed development partners for their unwavering support through their ODA funding assistance. Their continued commitment plays a pivotal role in fostering sustainable growth, addressing key challenges, and uplifting the lives of Filipinos. By providing the much-needed funding support to our critical projects, ODA remains an essential catalyst in building a resilient, inclusive, and prosperous future for the Philippines,” the country’s chief economist said.
Under Republic Act No. 8182, or the ODA Act of 1996, the DEPDev—previously the National Economic and Development Authority or NEDA—is mandated to conduct the annual ODA Portfolio Review and submit its report to Congress. The review aims to assess the status of ODA-financed projects, identify implementation issues and concerns, and highlight results and outcomes to ensure strategic alignment with the Philippine Development Plan and the Sustainable Development Goals. The review also aims to provide recommendations based on past performance and lessons learned to improve overall ODA utilization.
